Method for making an arm for a hinged structure such as a rocker arm for an aircraft landing-gear structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for making an arm for a hinged structure such as an aircraft landing gear structure, this arm comprising a main body (30; 130; 230) extending in a longitudinal direction (AP; BP; CP), and including an interface (13; 113; 213) such as a yoke radially protruding from the main body, this method including the steps of:making an insert (11; 211) including a base (12; 212) carrying the interface;making a mandrel (10; 110) integrating the base of the insert so that a portion of the external surface of this mandrel is delimited by a portion of the external face (17; 217) of the base of the insert;applying one or more layers of reinforcing fibers (31; 131; 231) around the mandrel and over all its length, so that each layer has the interface (13; 113; 213) passing through it without covering the interface;injecting resin into the layer or layers of reinforcing fibers (31; 131; 231) and at the level of the area of contact (32) of these layers (31) with the external face (17; 217) of the base; andpolymerizing the resin to bind rigidly the layers of reinforcing fibers and the base of the insert.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention concerns a method for making an arm for a hinged structure such as rocker arm for an aircraft landing gear structure.[0002]A landing gear rocker arm takes the form for example of a link having at each of its ends an interface in the form of a bearing and at least one other, so-called intermediate, interface situated between its ends and taking the form of a yoke.[0003]In FIG. 1 there is shown diagrammatically landing gear equipped with such a rocker arm. The landing gear 1 comprises a main leg 2 at the lower end of which is mounted a front end of a rocker arm 4 comprising a bearing 3 so that this rocker arm is able to pivot relative to the leg about a horizontal transverse axis.[0004]Two wheels 5 of the landing gear are carried by a transverse shaft or axle mounted at the rear end of the rocker arm, i.e. at the level of its rear bearing 6, these wheels thus being mounted on either side of the rocker arm.[0005]In a complementary ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a method to make an arm for a hinged structure made of composite materials. It is designed to be strong and lightweight, which is ideal for use in aircraft landing gear structures. The method is cost-effective and integrates different layers of material to create a strong and durable arm. Overall, it meets the requirements of a low-cost solution for hinged structures.

Problems solved by technology

Achieving a significant saving in weight at the level of this part, by making it from a composite material, proves to be a problem given the complexity of its general shape.

This solution continues to have severe constraints in terms of fabrication costs and weight since it leads to the rocker arm being made in the form of a plurality of composite material parts that have to be assembled together at the same time as providing high mechanical strength.

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